New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo today unveiled "Project Sunlight," a powerful and easy-to-use website giving the public unprecedented access to the workings of state government and the information it keeps. While not directly affiliated with us, imitation is the highest form of flattery. We also think that this beta website can provide a model for other states.

New York’s Project Sunlight allows tracking, in as real time as the reports are available, seven different state databases — campaign financing, lobbying, agency contracts, member items, legislation and both for-profit and not-for-profit corporations — and the links between them.

The website — which went live today at 3 PM — also offers a map of the state allowing users to search for member item spending by locality and includes videos to enhance the ease with which users can understand the educational materials.